Civil engineering emphasizes infrastructure—geotechnical, water resources, environmental, transportation, construction and structural engineering, as well as other related fields. Our program allows students to discover which area (or combination of areas) of civil engineering is right for them. We emphasize more than classroom learning. For example, the Kentucky Transportation Center, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute and Environmental Research and Training Laboratories are housed within the Department of Civil Engineering, which also offers one of the nation’s few railroad engineering programs. Our graduates are properly equipped to meet the infrastructure challenges of today and tomorrow.

About
Disciplines
Requirements
Entry Requirements
- Freshman Admission: Applicants who have not attended a college or university upon completion of secondary school AND who have met all requirements including English proficiency as noted below.
- Transfer Admission : Applicants who have attended a college or university upon completion of secondary school AND met all requirements including English proficiency as noted below.
- Non-degree Admission: Applicants who are exchange or visiting students.
- Conditional Admission: Applicants who meet UK’s academic requirements for admission but do not meet the minimum language proficiency requirement or the departmental specific requirements (such as certain SAT/ACT math scores for Engineering and Nursing).
- Students who are offered conditional admission because of English may either resubmit a higher TOEFL/IELTS score or enroll in UK's Center for English as a Second Language program. The duration of these courses will depend on placement test results and individual student progress. Upon successful completion of the English language course(s), the student will move seamlessly into a degree program at UK. This means no TOEFL/IELTS scores will be required if students complete CESL.
- Students who require a higher math score for Engineering may submit a higher score or switch their intended major to a program that does not have specific requirements.
- No additional application is required for Conditional Admission.
English Requirements
- IELTSMin 6
- TOEFLMin 71
Career
Civil engineers design, construct, supervise, operate, and maintain large construction projects and systems, including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and systems for water supply and sewage treatment. Students interested in the broad field of civil engineering must have a solid foundation in physics, chemistry and mathematics as well as excellent communication skills. They must be effective members of teams and implement interdisciplinary solutions to technical and socioeconomic problems of an increasingly complex world. All of our students have both a professional and a faculty advisor to help them plan their academic program and career.
Fee Information
How to Apply
1. Complete UK International Application for Undergraduate Admission or Common Application
2. $60 Application processing fee (non-refundable)
3. Official transcripts in English
4. English proficiency directly from testing center:
- TOEFL: 71 iBT, 543 IPT (UK administered)
- TOEFL Essentials: 7.5
- IELTS: 6.0
- Duolingo: 105
5. Optional tests: ACT / SAT (M+CR) Scores
- ACT school code: 1554 | SAT school code - 1837
- Required for engineering programs and scholarships
Priority Deadline:
- December 1 for Fall semester (August start)
- October 15 for Spring semester (January start)
*Scholarship deadline for freshmen international undergraduate students is December 1.

United States of America, Lexington